Circulation in the Coastal Ocean

Abstract

This chapter analyzes circulation in the coastal ocean. Much of the observational evidence discussed in the chapter comes from three shallow seas: Lake Ontario, the Mid-Atlantic Bight, and the Oregon shelf. These are coastal oceans, whose circulation is explored through major cooperative experiments. The chapter presents a unification of evidences from these three different shallow seas. The emphasis is on the dynamic principles that underlie the conceptual models found to be successful in quantitatively accounting for observations, that is, on the fundamental physics of flow phenomena in the coastal ocean. The quasi-geostrophic model is presented to explain wind-driven transient currents. Concepts related to coastal constraint, velocity distribution, longshore pressure gradients are explained. Response of stratified water column to wind is also explained. Linear theory models for trapped waves and propagating fronts are discussed. Observational evidence on wave and front propagation is presented. Concept of steady parallel flow over a straight continental shelf is described. Shelf circulation as a boundary-layer problem is explained. Mean circulation of a stratified fluid and mean circulation of the mid-Atlantic bight is also discussed.